Move from Dolores to Glen Park: bad idea?

[SarahKC]

Hi pals,

I am considering moving to Glen Park. Well, I think it's technically Sunnyside -- Mangels and Baden (speaking of "Sunnyside", anyone know how the summer fog is?).

I currently live near Dolores Park, Mission side.

Is this culinary suicide?

-- SKC

[sanfranciscoeater45]

You do not need a car to live in Glen Park. I live there and do not drive, and my commute to work in downtown SF is shorter than it would be if I lived in Bernal or even in most of Noe.

[SarahKC]

Well, the report from Glen Park is very positive (more details below). Two questions:

1. Is there a coffee shop anywhere in Glen Park, Sunnyside that's open after 8 pm? Really miss the Mission coffee shops where even though it was late and we had to work, felt like it wasn't and we weren't.

2. Anyone been to the Chinese grocery that I see from the car window when I'm on 280 north? report?

positive report continued: It's true that we don't frequent our Mission favorites quite so often but that has much less to do with the distance and more to do that we have new favorites. It's as if we were awakened to a new corridor of San Francisco life and enjoy pancakes at Tyger's, the most amazing challah at Destination, cumin lamb at Beijing Restaurant and (tear) Broken Record.

[sugartoof]

Coffee shops after 8.... sadly no. They all close earlier around 6-7. Cafe Bello, Higher Grounds, and Canyon Market are your real choices. Up further on Monterey Blvd. there's a coffee shop right above Safeway, near the hair salon. Reviews seem to be that it's a strange place with good coffee. Their hours are erratic even during the daytime. Cafe D'Melanio on Ocean Avenue, is somewhat nearby and roasts their own in house, but they turn over the place for full service dining on certain nights of the week. There's also Java on Ocean. There are places open late in Excelsior ( I think Nervous Dog stays open?), and Bernal Heights but Glen Park doesn't have many late night coffee options.

[SarahKC]

I'm not even looking for good coffee -- by 8 I go for herbal tea. Just a place to feel a little less lame as I type away late at night.

[ralysn]

Eggettes is open until 10 or 11 most nights. They have bubble teas, coffee etc. They're right on the main drag of Glen Park.

[Kristine]

I just recently heard Sangha ( the Sushi place ) closed. Just wondering if anybody knows about future plans for the space?

[ralysn]

It's been replaced by a new wine bar, Red and White. I've been there a few times. The wine by the glass selection rotates, and everything I've had has been delicious. They also offer some small plates and sandwiches, but based on what I've eaten so far I would say just go there for the wine.

[scarmoza]

By "Chinese grocery that I see from the car window when I'm on 280 north", do you mean Pacific Super on Alemany, next to the Spanish Cultural Center/Patio Español Restaurant?

[SarahKC]

possibly. Is it worth checking out?

[Robert Lauriston]

It's worth checking out. Similar to 99 Ranch or Lion, maybe not as good but convenient if you live in Glen Park.

[srr]

I thought you might be talking about Manila Oriental Market. It's on Mission, but very visible from 280 looking South. I like Manila better than Pacific Super. It's cleaner and there are always lots of lines open so I can get in and get out with my impatient 16 month old. They also have a great fish selection.

[SarahKC]

Super. How are their organic/sustainable options? I see them rarely (if ever) in an Asian market but I keep hoping for the day...

[srr]

0%. I go there for Asian stuff and fish. All the other stuff I get at other markets.

[Robert Lauriston]

About the only organic Asian produce I've seen is from Phan Farm, which is at SF Civic Center market Wednesdays and Sundays, also at the Berkeley Tuesday market.

[tex.s.toast]

Hong Sing, the little, utterly unimpressive looking chinese place behind Tyger's is actually pretty good. Skip the steam table unless you're in a hurry or inebriated, and order off the specials board in the sit down part in the back.

The hong sing special sauce is a spicy sweet concoction that i prefer on deliciously fried fish (not on the menu) but it also comes on chicken with broccoli. Steamed fish with ginger and scallions is a reliable favorite also. Nothing amazing but a solid neighborhood choice, and an ever entertainingly mixed crowd, very much reflective of the working-class diverse family feel of the "village".

[sugartoof]

I've had the opposite experience with Hong Sing. Steam table is much more reliable for a select few items, and the stuff off the menu when seated is avoidable. At the steam table, the chow mein, and the potstickers, and sometimes the baked pork buns, and spareribs are all darn good if they're fresh. It helps to be able to see what looks good and what's fresh. It's probably an MSG fest, and taste wise it's a time warp to the way Chinese food used to taste from places like Tien Fu, etc. so as a novelty it can really hit the spot. It really does get the most working class diverse family crowd in the area.

[wolfe]

SarahKC
Hi pals,
I am considering moving to Glen Park. SKC

All--thanks for your honest responses. We are just a bit nervous about the move. Kmanlove

We? Wait a minute, did we miss something?

[scarmoza]

Not a single mention of Le Petit Laurent in this whole thread. If there's a better neighborhood menu in San Francisco (both price and quality wise), I want to know about it!

[Kmanlove]

Yeah--we ate there the other night. Delicious. The bass was great, was was the frisee aux lardons.

And yes, wolfe, I guess you missed something :)

[wolfe]

After all my meddling I didn't get a evite. :(

[Kmanlove]

All--thanks for your honest responses. We are just a bit nervous about the move. For clarification, the place we are moving is about a 5 minute walk to (and 10 minute walk from) BART, so definitely the border of Glen Park and Sunnyside.

Importantly, we will be exactly the same distance from Pastores as we are now! And I hear there is a new Beijing restaurant in Mission Terrace. Fun!

Has anyone been to K's Kitchen?

[sugartoof]

K's Kitchen is pretty good for the sushi, or anything coming from the sushi bar. I'd strongly avoid anything coming from the back kitchen though. We couldn't eat our Terriyaki, and there was a strange scene going on back there. It's a funny place, but a much better option then any Chinese offerings in the area.

Price wise, the bill really added up for just a neighborhood place, so I would stick to the lunch menu, with specials, and avoid dinner. It's worth a try, but you would probably be better off driving to Church for the price instead.

[BernalKC]

So much I could say, and most of it already said. Bottom line: it is totally a lifestyle thing.

Sure you'll need a car. But you can park it there. Sure it's quieter. But you'll have a funky back yard and you'll know your neighbors a lot better. I bet you'll have a better kitchen too. BART is totally walkable, and so is the GP village. And that dog you'll be getting? (or you're kid) will love the Canyon. Did you notice that Glenn Park ES is getting much better? Have you listened in on the GP parents group on Yahoo? If the intense mothering vibe there didn't totally freak you out, then you'll fit right in -- and even if it did, welcome to the club.

But back to the question, the speed of change in that area is amazing to me. I loved GP back 25 years ago when it really was nowhere. It has a homey unpretentious feel that you either dig or not. Now there are new stores and restaurants all over. Even Mission Terrace / Excelcior??? OMG. Look out, Ocean Ave is next. So if the lifestyle factors fit you two, jump on in - the water's fine.

[sugartoof]

Yeah, that's Sunnyside, and your closest park is Sunnyside Park. You'll be up the hill from the bus on Monterey, but you're not really in Glen Park over there. It's a very different lifestyle.... but as mentioned before, if you're getting in your car, what's the difference? The area is nice, though the fog can hit pretty hard. Most San Franciscans never venture into that neck of the woods, because it is fairly suburban, but you're near a bunch of stuff, and right by the freeway.

In addition to Glen Park (which is, and improving, but limited) you'll be right over the hill to West Portal, and it's going to be really easy to cut through and get back to your old neighborhood. It takes hardly any time to get to Church St., and there are shortcuts right to Mission. In the opposite direction, getting to Irving St. area is very quick.

Your supermarkets are going to be Safeway, on Monterey, which is pretty over priced and mediocre even by safeway standards, the already mentioned Canyon Market, and Alemany Green Market, and the Molly Stone/Tower Market. As a backup you'll be close enough to the Diamond Heights Safeway if you need to run around for something. West Portal has two smaller markets, that are hit or miss. You've also got a smattering of corner markets.

Of all the Glen Park offerings, a few places yet to be mentioned are Tyger's for breakfast, Higher Grounds crepes, and Destination Baking Co. Truthfully, the options are limited, and you will likely feel a boredom at some point you never felt for the Mission. None of these can really can't compete with the similar options in the Mission except maybe Gialina, , but what's a 10 minute drive? Chances are you'll find yourself exposed to more food then you would have staying around Dolores.

[Bruce in SLO]

A new Thai restaurant is scheduled to open soon. Was nearly ready on 1/25.
Across the street from BART station. Don't forget Sangha across from Chenery Park.

[srr]

The Thai restaurant opened across from the BART station. It's another outpost of Osha. We were very excited, as we used to go to the one on Leavenworth quite often, although we had never been to any of their newer places. WOW!! Totally mediocre and overpriced. I always order the Tom Yam noodle soup, spicy. First, it cost about $12. Then it was not very flavorful and not spicy at all. The place looks cool though...

[sugartoof]

How is Sangha? I was hesitant to try it based on what I had read previously.

[Bruce in SLO]

We have tried it twice, once by our selves and just looking for a couple small plates with a glass of wine.
The next with another couple and we shared 5 small plates, all excellent though not large. Would like a bit broader wine selection by the glass.

[ML8000]

I think you nailed it...it's a lifestyle thing.

The Mission, near Dolores Park is very pedestrian friendly/urban and easy access to many places. On the flip side, GP is more small village, suburban living, more relaxed and stay at home. Pluses and minuses for both. Depends on the objectives/reasons.

Kids and commuting might be easier from GP. Alemany Farmer's Market is closer. If you have a big kitchen that might compensate for the ped friendly stuff in the Mission.

[sugartoof]

Yeah some people really prefer Glen Park, just the same way people pay a premium to live in Bernal Heights. She'd really be at the border of Sunnyside, and Westwood Highland, neither of which are attracting the Glen Park crowd.

[lizardancing]

nope..actually glen park has chenery park, the gourmet grocery and a great taqueria! Cheese shop used to be there but I don't know if they are there still.

[realspear]

The cheese shop is still there, still owned by the same guy that's had it for years, I think, and it's a great place. Chenery Park is a very comfortable "neighborhood" restaurant with high quality food. The steak is excellent. The owner is on-site most of the time and knows most of the customers who have been in several times.

The Mission is a five minute drive from Glen Park and Tower Market (Mollie Stone's) is about the same. There's good markets including a top-notch butcher in "inner" Parkside, maybe fifteen minutes from Glen Park. And Mike's Liquors, which is in what is probably considered the Excelsior, is also very close and has some great deals, especially if you like tequila, which I do.

[tara]

My partner and I moved to Glen Park together eight years ago, when many of the restaurants the neighborhood now boasts didn't exist. She was coming from the Dolores Park area as well and initially found the transition a little difficult. Now, though, with 1) some great new places and a great new market in the "village," 2) excellent delivery options, particularly from the nearby stretch of Mission, and 3) relatively easy parking and quick BART access to other neighborhoods, she is quite happy.

We still head to the Mission to eat out, but it isn't that big of a deal. Glen Park is a great place to live. (Yes, it can be cloudier/more overcast than the Mission.)

[SarahKC]

Thanks so much for the reply. Can you give me more details as to the delivery options?

[larochelle]

We use grub hub - http://www.grubhub.com/ - enter your address and it tells you who is open and delivering.

[tara]

Our favorites for delivery are Spicy Bite (Indian), Pad Thai, Zante's (Indian pizza), Mozzarella di Bufala ("regular" pizza), Lotus Garden (Vietnamese). We used to order from Jasmine Tea House but then discovered that their most recent hygiene inspection in October 2008 yielded a score of 44 out of 100. Other options: Dusit Thai, Angkor Borei (Cambodian).

[pane]

Hi, Sarah!

Probably the answer depends on your lifestyle. One of the benefits of living in the Mission is the number of very casual to semi-casual places you can easily walk to any day of the week. My work hours vary and often I want good food that doesn't require a lot of transit or planning, and the Mission supports that. Also we have lots of great markets, so it's easy to stop in and pick up something at Bi-Rite or the Mission produce markets.

Glen Park/Sunnyside--I've never lived there, but it seems a lot less dense in terms of restaurants and food markets. I would guess that it wouldn't support my dining habits, but if you're able to plan more, you have a car, or you're willing to BART around a bit, it seems like the trade-off may be worth it?

[larochelle]

GP is less dense but Canyon Market is a fantastic to Bi-Rite. There are is a decent produce market and IMHO Glen Canyon Park is way cooler than Dolores park. The new library is awesome. The whole area has a nice friendly "village" vibe.

Plus I love the random neighborhood people that sell their backyard produce near the BART station. I've gotten some amazing tree fruit in the summer.

But I'm definitely baised against the Mission - I like it less and less.

-----
Canyon Market
2815 Diamond St, San Francisco, CA

[Windy]

More important, Canyon is an excellent bakery, deli, and meat counter. I almost never buy the produce because of the high, Bi-Rite prices.

Angkor Borei and Lotus Garden both deliver to Glen Park. The Cheese Shop is still there.

[susancinsf]

Ditto on the bakery, deli and meat counter, and the wine selection, while small, sometimes has some interesting bottles. I agree on the produce, partially because of cost, and partially because half the time it doesn't look that great. On the other hand, no worries, because Glen Park is close to the Alemany Farmer's Market on Saturday am, for some of the best reasonably priced produce in the City,,,,

-----
Alemany Farmers' Market
100 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94110

[larochelle]

Sorry if I was unclear - I meant there is Canyon Market which is similar to Bi-Rite and a produce market similar the mission produce markets - not that I recommend buying CM for its produce.

[Windy]

Where's the decent produce market?

I recommend the place on 30th and Church on the Glen Park/Noe border.

[tex.s.toast]

30th and church isnt too near to mangels and baden, but it is some super dirt cheap produce. i miss that place.

[Kmanlove]

Lotus Garden?? As in the Vietnamese place on Mission? Delivers? Enough said!! (Also, Osha will deliver--anyone been to the new one yet?)

[Windy]

Yes, Lotus Garden has delivered dinner for as long as I can remember.

Now if only there were a decent Chinese restaurant with delivery on the east side of town...

[Kmanlove]

I take it that place on Monterey (Luck Village?) doesn't? What about the new place next door. Any one been to that?

[Windy]

Lucky River does deliver. The food we've gotten on three occasions hasn't been good, and their clean scores made us uncomfortable.

[sugartoof]

Yeah the ghosts of Emmy's and Happy Palace are not to be messed with. Not sure about China Wok these days.

Delivery out there is pretty limited, though a few indian places will go.

[Kmanlove]

What a surprise on the food. We had a delicious snack there the other day, potstickers and bbq pork. Maybe it's just bad after the delivery time?

Had no idea on the clean scores. Lived to tell the tale though. Thanks for the warning.

[Windy]

No delivery yet, but tonight I remembered the new branch of Henry's Hunan on Church near Day (1 block from 30th).

Again, not walking distance from Mangels and Baden, but 3 minutes in the car, cheap, delicious, and the original friendly Henry's family. Parking on outer Church or nearby parts of Mission is not easy but possible.

[srr]

Geez, this city just isn't that big. You still get whatever you want waaaay over in Glen Park

[SarahKC]

I know! It makes me feel better about moving.

[Candice]

I know some people who just left Glen Park, they said the weather was pretty bad. On the upside, there's Gialina and a few other places and easier parking. Closer to Alemany Farmer's Market too, but I would rather be near Dolores Park.